Comparison of the Structures for Two High-Rise Buildings in Madrid

Author(s):	Miguel Gómez Navarro Julio Martínez Calzón
Medium:	conference paper
Language(s):
Conference:	17th IABSE Congress, Creating and Renewing Urban Structures – Tall Buildings, Bridges and Infrastructure, Chicago, September 17-19, 2008
Published in:	Creating and Renewing Urban Structures – Tall Buildings, Bridges and Infrastructure
Abstract:	Four high-rise buildings have been built close together between 2004 and 2008 in Madrid (Spain). The structures of two of these buildings, Torre Espacio and Torre Sacyr-Vallehermoso, have been designed by MC-2 Estudio de Ingeniería, who has been responsible too of the site management. Both buildings have approximately the same height and surface, as well as the same wind exposure conditions. However, the architectural choices imply quite dissimilar external shapes and internal distribution, resulting in a significantly different behaviour under wind loads. In addition, and due to the preferences of the owner, it was decided that Torre Espacio had to be mainly a reinforced concrete structure. The appropriateness of both structural systems, correlated to their speed of construction, cost, facade design and architectural requirements are compared in the paper.